Nanotechnology For Dummies [Paperback]

Richard D. Booker (Author), Earl Boysen (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764583689 | ISBN-13: 978-0764583681 | Publication Date: August 16, 2005 | Edition: 1

This title demystifies the topic for investors, business executives, and anyone interested in how molecule-sized machines and processes can transform our lives. Along with dispelling common myths, it covers nanotechnology's origins, how it will affect various industries, and the limitations it can overcome. This handy book also presents numerous applications such as scratch-proof glass, corrosion resistant paints, stain-free clothing, glare-reducing eyeglass coatings, drug delivery systems, medical diagnostic tools, burn and wound dressings, sugar-cube-sized computers, mini-portable power generators, even longer-lasting tennis balls, and more.

• Nanotechnology is the science of matter at the scale of one-billionth of a meter or 1/75,000th the size of a human hair
• Written in the accessible, humorous For Dummies style, this book demystifies nanotechnology for investors, business people, and anyone else interested in how molecule-sized machines and processes will soon transform our lives
• Investment in nanotechnology is exploding, with $3.7 billion in nanotechnology R&D spending authorized by the U.S. government in 2003 and international investment reported at over $2 billion

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Nanotechnology may well rival the development of the transistor or telecommunications in its ultimate impact."

From the Author

I’m one of the authors for the book and a graduate student at Rice University in Houston, Texas - one of the academic leaders in nanotechnology. Personally, my unique background allows me to speak to a wide audience: my engineering degree has given me insight into transitioning research into practical applications; my Air Force experience has allowed me to understand the needs of our government and military (huge financial backers of university research). Now, while working in the trenches of nanotechnology, I’ve come across a disconnect between this research and the average person. How do we communicate this technology’s importance and potential applications to the business leader, venture capitalist, investor, or entrepreneur to make it widely available in every day uses?

This book does just that by identifying needs and separating science fiction from science fact – dispelling the myths and laying out realistic expectations not only in applications but timeframe as well. We identify three industries: materials, computers, and healthcare. These areas will be greatly affected by nanotechnology and advances in each will continue to feed each other. For example, future nano-scale processor fabrication methods will be used to create unique materials for healthcare applications.

Another "vision" of the authors was to "show" nanotechnology – there are over 100 line art and photos illustrating the science and applications of nanotechnology distinguishing this book from other nano books. This makes it far easier for the average high school student or even baby boomer to pick up and quickly understand this emerging technology and provide them the tools to choose either a career in the sciences or invest in a nano-company stock.

I encourage those interested in this technology, whether it is for shear interest or for business ideas, to closely read this book.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (August 16, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764583689
• ISBN-13: 978-0764583681
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #392,340 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #58 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Nanostructures

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great things in *very* small packages..., September 22, 2005

By 

Thomas Duff "Duffbert" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Nanotechnology For Dummies (Paperback)

It's *amazing* what you can find in the "For Dummies" series... :)

I've always enjoyed the Dummies series, especially when it comes to a complex subject where "I don't know what I don't know". A book that can explain the subject in simple terms gives me the mental framework on which to build my learning. This book is a perfect example... Nanotechnology For Dummies by Richard Booker and Earl Boysen.

Contents:
Part 1 - Getting Small with Nanotechnology: The Hitchhiker's Guide to Nanotechnology; Nano in Your Life; Gathering the Tools of the Trade
Part 2 - Building a Better World with Nanomaterials: Nanomaterials Galore; Adding Strength with Composites
Part 3 - "Smarter" Computers! Faster Internet! Cheaper Energy!: Building a Better Digital Brain; Routing Information at the Speed of Light; Nano-fying Electronics; Getting Energy and a Cleaner Environment with Nanotech
Part 4 - Living Healthier Lives: Diagnosing Personal Health Quickly, Easily, and Pain-Free; The Fantastic Voyage into Medical Applications
Part 5 - Investing in Nanotech: Industries Going Small; Countries Investing In a Nano Future; Nanotechnology Goes to School
Part 6 - The Parts of Tens: Ten (or so) Nanotech Movers and Shakers; Further Reading on the Web and in Your Library
Glossary; Index

My prior knowledge of nanotech was pretty much restricted to the sci-fi realm, where machines build themselves and nanotech runs amok. But if asked how it all works, I'd be at a complete loss. In this Dummies title, Booker and Boysen do an excellent job in making the very, very tiny... very understandable. You won't be ready to launch your own nanotech firm or get a degree in nano-medicine, but you'll at least walk away with a better understanding of the subject. While the authors do tend to be wonderfully enthusiastic about the nanotech future, I think that their optimism is somewhat warranted. They show you the edge of the future that we are about to enter, and even after dismissing the hype, there's some intriguing stuff out there.

I think I was most fascinated about where the medical field is going with nanotech. Customized delivery systems for medicines that can put the dosage right where it's needed. Nanocells that can attach themselves to cancer cells and then respond to laser stimulation and fry away the cancer. Obviously not next week's cure, but the authors show you it's closer than you might think.

If this subject is something you've thought interesting but still don't understand very well, it's well worth getting a copy of Nanotechnology For Dummies. It's an enjoyable read, and you'll come away with many "small" pieces of insight (sorry, bad nano-joke there...)

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Science Explained As Simply as Possible, August 16, 2005

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Nanotechnology For Dummies (Paperback)

Sometimes I have to chuckle at the titles contained in the For Dummies series. Nanotechnology is not something that I would normally think of as being of interest to Dummies. I guess I'd best not give examples of subjects I'd think of as being suitable For Dummies.

However, that misses the point. The For Dummies series has pioneered a writing style that enables the non-informed reader to get a much better understanding of complex subjects.

Nanotechnology is a science that is only about twenty years old. I say 'about' twenty years because it really depends on just what you consider to be the start of the science.

Nanotechnology deals with things that are nano in size, say around 1/5000 the size of a red blood cell, about 1/75,000 the diameter of a human hair. At that size, all kinds of strange and wonderful things begin to happen. The technology promises to offer significant improvements in all kinds of areas from energy, health, to computers.

I can't really talk about the subject in this short review, it's too big, that's why it takes a whole book to cover.

Conclusion: Written in the For Dummies style, this is a book on Nanotechnology that makes it understandable to the average person. I'd consider it mandatory reading for anyone thinking of going into chemistry or physics for a career. My prediction (and the authors) is that this is going to be the hot science subject of the next generation. If I knew a high school student interested in science....

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I FINALLY GET IT! THANKS., August 10, 2011

By 

MG - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nanotechnology For Dummies (For Dummies (Math & Science)) (Paperback)

This book is a great introduction to nanotechnology. I've been intrigued by the idea that nanotechnology can tackle many issues, such as curing cancer or making travel into space much easier, and now I've found a book that clearly explains how these issues, and many more, are being tackled. The authors not only show how nanotechnology is being used to address many of our problems but explains in easy to understand language the progress that has been made to date, the research programs that are making further progress and the ethical controversties around nano.